Early Career Programmes

Young researchers find optimal conditions at the Department of Computer Science for an academic career. Enrol now for one of the research funding programs and profit early from independent and scientific freedom.

Independent Research Group / IRG

The Department of Computer Science provides an opportunity for young researchers to prove their scientific autonomy as head of an independent research group (IRG).

Professors of the Department of Computer Science are not authorised to issue instructions and the IRG leaders obtain the right to supervise Ph.D. programmes. If desired, IRG leaders can also participate in teaching activities.

The proof of the IRG-leader's high qualifications consists of an appointment procedure which is equivalent to an appeals procedure.

Generally, the appointment requires a doctoral degree, which has not been awarded at TU Darmstadt as well as at least two years of work experience after the doctorate. On the other hand, the obtainment of the doctorate should not date back longer than seven years at most.

The IRG-leadership is, as a rule, limited to eight years. After a maximum of three years, an evaluation of accomplished achievements and future developments regarding science, doctoral supervision and teaching activities will take place.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean for further information or questions.

Athene Young Investigator

The Athene Young Investigator programme encourages the independence of outstanding established researchers at our institution, who pursue an academic career as a professor: The right to supervise doctoral students and a discipline-specific budget will be assigned for a maximum of 5 years.

Claude Shannon Fellowship Programme

The Claude Shannon Fellowship Program offered by TU Darmstadt, a CRISP partner, allows young researchers at CRISP to found their own research group. This is similar in spirit to the Emmy Noether Program of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Claude Shannon Fellows are given the opportunity to conduct independent research and to teach, for which they also receive additional funding to hire 1-2 Ph.D. students. Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. or doctorate degree in Computer Science or a related field of study and most demonstrate an outstanding publication record. They must also possess experience in working with the inter­national research community. Ideally, applicants should have held at least one postdoctoral research position at a university other than that from which they obtained their doctorate degree.